Two Great Friends
However, there was still something coming between them. Something was lacking, like a missing piece, which prevented them from writing in block letters the word “friendship”.
Neither of them really knew what the problem was, although they tried to work it out.
One day, one of the two “friends” was struck by a terrible misfortune. A violent earthquake destroyed his house. In despair, the man made for his friend’s home, which had remained intact. In the cold of the night the man knocked at the door, certain of the warm welcome his friend would give him.
“Who is it?”
It’s me. Please open the door. I no longer have anywhere to live.”
“What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”
“It’s me, your friend. Don’t you recognize me?”
“I’m sorry. I can’t let you in.”
The poor man could not understand why his friend wouldn’t let him in. Despite his astonishment, the unhappy man didn’t like to insist.
He was sure his friend had a good reason for this behaviour.
So he went away, wandering blindly in the harsh winter and sleeping wherever he happened to be.
After some months, looking at his reflection in the water of a stream, he suddenly realised why his friend had turned him away on that terrible night. He realised what he had to do and went back to knock at his friend’s door.
“Who is it?” asked the man, although he already recognized his voice.
After a moment’s hesitation came the reply, “It’s you. Open the door, quickly, you’re cold!”
This time the friend opened the door. He couldn’t leave himself out in the cold.
The two had now become one person, and their friendship was complete.
Anonimus
